ESSENTIAL OILS AND YOUR CHILDREN

As I teach and interact with people wanting to know more about essential oils, I am often asked about the use
of essential oils with children. There seems to be some confusion on this subject and a bit of misinformation
being circulated about as fact.

First and foremost, let me stress that essential oils are such a blessing in the lives of children - and in the lives
of those who care for and love them!

Any essential oil blend, with a few exceptions noted below, can be used with children if proper dilution,
application principles, and protocols are followed.

Children have less body mass than adults and pure essential oils MUST be diluted well for application on
children. Pure essential oils should always be diluted before placing on the body—more is not always better or
more effective. In fact, many times a small amount of an oil will be soothing and calming but a larger amount
will cause agitation and fussiness. This is true of both lavender and peppermint, for example.

With a few exceptions, such as lavender, I find that synergistic blends are safer and more effective for children.
I feel this same way about adults and the use of blended oils, however. Blending single oils together allows us
to participate in the best that each single oil has to offer without risk of too much of any one good thing. A
blended oil is like the difference between a symphony and one person playing middle C over and over again
on a piano. So much more can be accomplished with a blend and there is little danger of there being an
overwhelming amount of any one oil—too much of even a good thing is still too much.

Butterfly Express LLC has, over the years, created several blends that are particularly effective with children. These
blends were usually created ‘one grandchild at a time’ and are among my personal favorites.

THESE BLENDS INCLUDE:

This blend is representative of the best that synergistic blending has to offer! While created with
skin issues such as diaper rash and irritation in mind and to create a protective barrier on the skin against
germs, the aroma opens the heart chakra and soothes the emotions. It is a wonderful oil for promoting bonding
between mother and child and, I believe, with the Heavenly Father of us all. LeIntention is also an excellent
blend for skin issues in children.

This blend opens bronchial and sinus passages better than anything else that I know of. There are
those who believe that peppermint is, perhaps, contraindicated for children but this blend is a shining example
of synergy in blending and the safety of even very strong oils when used as only a percentage of a blend. LeBreezey should be diluted very well—a couple of drops to a teaspoon of oil—and applied to the chest and back. (Since babies are small and a teaspoon is a lot of oil, use the rest on yourself, your husband for snoring, or your
other children as a preventative measure).
LeDelicate: Dilute this blend with almond oil, apply to the baby’s scalp. After a few moments, use a soft-bristled
brush to gently remove the crusts from the baby’s head. If you are patient, the baby may even laugh and smile
at you, finding this to be a fun game with mommy.

This blend is a favorite of children who are nervous in the dark or when left alone. If nightmares
persist while using LeDreams, continue to use it in conjunction with energy work modalities. Finding the
disturbing emotion, processing it, and letting it go is the only way to achieve lasting healing. LeDreamscan help
you do that. This blend has been beneficial for bedwetting if the root cause is fear or anxiousness.

LeJulia: This blend was created as a gentler alternative to LeInsideOut for a sweet granddaughter whose trip into this world was a bit traumatic, with some tugging on the umbilical cord’s connection to the navel. LeJuliahas proven itself over and over again for use with colic, tummy ache, and constipation in infants, children, and (a bit of a surprise to me) with adults as well. I am told that the aroma is useful for motion sickness.

LeMelaPlus: Is strongly antiseptic. It prevents the growth of bacteria, fungus, and other infectious agents.LeMelaPlus
can be used for athlete’s foot and toe nail fungal infections. It can also be used for disinfecting cuts, scrapes, and wounds. A drop applied to insect bites will keep them from infecting.

“Chiropractor in a bottle” is a good description of this blend except thatLeMillenia aligns so much
more than just physical structures. LeMillenia aligns the electrical energies of the body, balances every meridian, and energizes every chakra. In addition,LeMillenia maintains the integrity of the connective tissues that wrap, connect, and protect every organ and balances the emotions connected to each organ.LeMilleniabalances the moisture and fluid levels in the body.

One of my favorite uses for LeMillenia is in working with ADHD and hyperactivity. Applying LeMillenia to the feet at least once a day can make a profound difference in a child’s ability to sit still and concentrate. I use the feet because it is an excellent place to draw essential oils into the body. I also like the feet because the person (it is often a little boy) can put his shoes back on, go to school, and no one teases him because he “smells like flowers.” Also, consider using LeTranquilityalong withLeMillenia.(see LeVictory)

This blend was designed to gently reduce even the very high fevers that we often see with the quick-onset “flu bugs” prevalent in the world today. It stimulates the body’s defenses while calming and soothing the child.LeThermaCare should be diluted well and applied to the back of the neck, down the spine and on the
bottoms of the feet.

LeTranquility:One of the best-loved of the Butterfly Express LLC, blends, LeTranquility can help us develop inner strength, patience, understanding, and confidence. This oil relieves anxiety, stress, tension, and depression. It is also very useful to promote relaxation and restful sleep.LeTranquility has been used in programs to help children and adults get off of Ritalin and Prozac. Of course, it is recommended that you work closely with the doctor who prescribed the medications.

LeUnDone: The oils in LeUnDone are considered to be cytophylactics—they regenerate and rebuild tissues. Our amazing bodies are continually replacing old cells with new. Unfortunately, when scar tissue has formed, the new cells pattern themselves after the damaged cell structures. LeUnDone encourages new cell growth that is patterned after the original cellular blueprint rather than replicating the damaged pattern while, at the same time, preventing infection. Vetiver, a key ingredient in this blend, is an amazingly calming and soothing oil.

LeVictory: This blend is especially useful for those with ADHD, OCD, autism, or neurological disorders. Each
step forward when working with learning disabilities or any type of neurological malfunction is a victory and a celebration. The ingredients of LeVictory are so well-balanced and synergistically combined that they act as catalysts for the re-building of nerve tissues, and yet are soothing to the nervous system and the emotions at the same time.

Children that have any type of difficulty with learning or social skills seem to need physical touch. They have the sunniest dispositions, loving to hug and be hugged. Physically connecting with others helps their energy
circuits connect and flow more smoothly. Remember that confidence and emotional stability outweigh, many times over, early academic achievement in overall success in life. An “I can do it” attitude is the best skill set any of
us can possess. LeVictory absolutely shines in the development of that attitude. (seeLeMillenia)

Lavender and Chamomile are particularly effective oils for use with children. Remember, a little is very good but a lot is NOT a lot better. In fact, too much of either of these oils will act as a stimulant, rather than having a calming effect.

COMPANION OILS (FOR PARENTS):

LeFaith can help you see your child’s potential, avoid discouragement, and aid you in finding ways to bolster your child’s confidence and self-esteem. Changing the school system is probably not possible and supporting your child is more effective anyway.

LeWhispering Hope can help when a young mother (or any one else, really) is feeling stressed and overwhelmed. It helps to create a more positive attitude and a sense of optimism.

The main essential oils you do not want to use with children are the ones with strong hormonal properties. Any
caustic or very strong essential oils you want to use cautiously and dilute extra well. As always these oils are much
safer used in a blend instead of by themselves. It is also a good idea to read about an oil before using it. In the book
Butterfly Miracles with Essential Oils, and also on our website in the information section, cautions will be listed below the
information for each essential oil if any cautions for that oil are known.

The most important thing to know about essential oils and children is that they should be kept out of the reach of
children. Having said that, I must also admit that my grandchildren, one in particular, have dumped whole bottles
of a wide variety of essential oils into the tub while taking a bath. Which ones? The ones Mom or Dad left on the
side of the tub! Their skin and poor little private parts turned bright, fiery red and, sometimes, a cleanse or an
allergic reaction has been triggered! None have ever been deadly, or even very serious.

Helpful Suggestions For These Situations:

1) Milk. Put milk on any skin that is burning and even in the eyes.

2) Support the eliminative organs (kidney, colon, and skin) with mild herbs for a few days and make sure the child
drinks plenty of water.

3) Run a tub of luke-warm water (just warm enough not to freeze the child to death) add 3 Tablespoons of *Redmond
clay and soak the child for at least 20 minutes.

4) In the above situation or when there has been a negative or allergic reaction to a particular oil due to an intolerance
of the plant from which the oil was made, the following protocol is almost always very helpful.

B. Place one hand over the thymus (heart chakra) and the other hand over the navel.

C. Take 3 deep breaths and switch hands, then take 3 more deep breaths.

There is no substitute for common sense and caution. Only you are responsible for your own health and welfare, and you must use these wonderfully beneficial substances responsibly.
*Redmond clay is the type of diatomaceous earth clay that I usually purchase. It is, of course, acceptable to substitute your favorite one instead.